Chair

ABSTRACT

A chair with at least one foot, a support profile, on which a seat and optionally a backrest is arranged, whereby the seat is continuously adjustable for height on the support profile. The seat is thus securely locked at a desired height, by means of a height lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a chair having at least one foot and a supportprofile, on which a seat and, if appropriate, a backrest is arranged, itbeing possible for the seat to be adjusted in a stepless manner inheight on the support profile and to be fixed in a secured manner at adesired height by a height-securing means, a connecting element beingprovided between the support profile and seat, and the seat beingmounted in an articulated manner in relation to the connecting element.

Chairs are available in a wide variety of different shapes and forms.The present invention is concerned specifically with a chair for whichit is possible to set the seat height and/or seat depth. The inventionis also concerned with a chair which is collapsible.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,523, for example, discloses a chair of which theseat can be adjusted in height along a support profile. For adjustmentpurposes, the seat is raised, a connecting element is displaced alongthe support profile and the seat is then lowered again, in which case itsubjects the support profile to a clamping action.

This chair has the disadvantage that if, for example, the seat is raisedaccidentally, the height is easily adjusted of its own accord. Theclamping action of the seat in relation to the support profile dependsessentially on the pressure to which the seat is subjected.

In order to avoid accidental displacement of the seat height,height-securing means are provided on the seat. It is likewise the casethat such height-securing means are known and commonly used in a widevariety of different shapes and forms.

For example, EP 1 020 138 A1 describes a seat in which height and depthadjustment takes place by means of a toothed engagement strip, whichruns on a chair framework, and a retaining device, which is assigned tothe seat and on which a gearwheel, which meshes with the toothedengagement strip, is seated and drive means, which can be driven inrotation by the gearwheel, are arranged.

In order for it to be possible, then, to fix the seat at a certainheight, the retaining device is assigned a clamping device, which clampsthe retaining device firmly on the chair framework.

A further height-securing means is described in DE 195 19 739 A1. Here,a seat is connected to a support element via a screw and via asupporting arm. The supporting arm engages in a slot in the supportelement and, following release of a fastening means, can be displacedvertically in order then to be fixed again by means of the fasteningmeans.

WO 99/00038 describes a further chair, which likewise has aheight-adjustable and depth-adjustable seat panel which is assigned asupport element. A height-securing means is produced here by theinterengagement of noses on the support element with grooves in guiderails in side elements of the chair and of the support element itselfwith grooves of a gearwheel-like element on the rear side of the chair,clamping elements ensuring that the seat is fixed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,089 discloses a chair of the above-mentioned type,the seat of which has a frame which is assigned a clamping device. Thisclamping device comprises frictional elements, which are assigned to theframe of the seat via pins. When the seat frame is rotated in thedirection of a horizontal position, the frictional elements come intofrictional contact between the support profiles of the chair, as aresult of which a clamping action is produced. This clamping action issecured by a push-in pin.

The disadvantage with the above-described height-securing means,however, is that they are mostly connected directly to the seat or elseto the support profile of the seat. This gives rise to a complicatedconstruction for the height-adjusting means and thus also for theheight-securing means, which results, in turn, in more difficulthandling.

Furthermore, in the case of some of the above-mentioned height-securingmeans, the action of securing the seat at the desired height isinsufficient since they rely merely on a clamping action between theseat and support profile. Furthermore, the height-securing means do notoperate automatically.

Added to this is the fact that, in particular if use is made of, forexample, screw-like elements, the screw-like element may jam in thesupport profile or the like, which may result, inter alia, in possibleinjury to the user.

The object of the present invention is thus to develop a chair of theabove-mentioned type which is provided with a height-securing meanswhich is highly variable in terms both of its settings and its handling,is easy to operate and, nevertheless, provides a sufficient securingaction against the seat being adjusted out of its desired height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing object is achieved in that the seat is mounted in anarticulated manner in the vicinity of its top side and, in the useposition, presses onto the support profile by way of a rear covering,the height-securing means having an adjusting catch on the connectingelement, an edge of the seat engaging behind it in this use position.

By means of the arrangement, a covering which is present on the seatsupport is pressed against the support profile, as a result of which theposition of the seat support is secured.

By virtue of the height-securing means being fitted on a connectingelement, its handling is simplified to a considerable extent. All thatis required is for the seat to be moved to its desired height. It isthen possible for the height-securing means on the connecting element onthe support profile to be moved into the corresponding position beneaththe seat and fixed.

In another exemplary embodiment, the height-securing means has at leastone clamping element which is guided in a guide slot such that, at soonas the seat or seat support has reached its desired height, the clampingelement exerts a clamping action preferably in conjunction with thesupport profile, which avoids the situation where the seat is moved outof position without the clamping element being released.

In a further exemplary embodiment, it is even conceivable to provide twoclamping elements, the second clamping element preventing the seat frombeing raised.

A further feature of the invention, for which independent protection isalso sought, concerns the support profile being fixed in an articulatedmanner on at least one foot.

This means that a collapsible chair is produced.

For this purpose, it is possible to fix, for example, on the foot abearing link plate which is connected to the support profile in anarticulated manner via an articulation pin. At the same time, thebearing link plate also forms a stop for the support profile as soon asthe latter is in the use position.

The use position is secured by a latching catch, which engages in thesupport profile by way of a latching nose. This takes place under thepressure of a spring, with the result that it is only when this pressureis eliminated that the latching catch is released and the supportprofile is thus freed.

Yet a further idea of the present invention, for which independentprotection is likewise sought, confirms the adjustability of the seatdepth. It is conceivable, in principle, for the seat depth to be ofadjustable configuration. This can be achieved, in one instance, in thatan appropriate, for example textile, seat surface is rolled up and canbe unrolled as desired from, for example, a roller.

The seat depth is preferably increased and decreased under the action ofa telescopic element. This could be, for example, a lamellar pull-outmechanism, at least one toggle lever or a scissors element.

In another exemplary embodiment, it is conceivable to form the seatsurface from a plurality of parts, in which case the parts are drawnapart from one another, and supplemented by new parts, as desired. It isalso the case here that the present invention should not be subject tolimitations.

A particular idea of the invention, for which separate protection islikewise also sought, concerns the arrangement of an additionalbackrest, the adjustment of which can likewise change the seat depth.

Of course, it is conceivable for all the independent features also to berealized in one chair, for which protection is likewise sought. Thisresults in the production of a chair which is highly variable in respectof its settings. Furthermore, it can easily be collapsed andtransported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, features and details of the invention can begathered from the following description of preferred exemplaryembodiments, and with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a chair according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a detail of the chair according to FIG. 1 inthe region of the connection between the support profile and foot;

FIG. 3 shows a detail of the chair corresponding to FIG. 2, but inanother use position;

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the chair according to FIG. 1 in the region ofthe connection between a seat and a support profile;

FIG. 5 shows the detail according to FIG. 4 in another use position;

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a detail of the chairaccording to FIG. 1 similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, in different usepositions;

FIG. 7 shows a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of the chairaccording to FIG. 1 similar to FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8-13 show perspective views of exemplary embodiments of seatsurfaces with a changeable depth; and

FIG. 14 shows perspective views of possible ways of achieving backrestadjustment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to FIG. 1, a chair P according to the invention has two feet1.1. and 1.2, which are each connected to a support profile 2.1 and 2.2.The support profiles 2.1 and 2.2 accommodate a backrest 3 between them.

A seat 5 is connected to the support profiles 2.1 and 2.2 via arespective connecting element 4.1, 4.2. This connection takes place, ifappropriate, via corresponding seat supports 6.

It can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 that a support profile 2 is connected toa foot 1 via an articulated connection 7. In this case, the articulatedconnection 7 preferably has two bearing link plates 8 arranged onebehind the other, the bearing link plates 8 being connected to thesupport profile 2 via an articulation pin 9. The support profile 2 canrotate about the articulation pin 9.

The rotary movement of the support profile 2 in relation to the bearinglink plate 8, however, is limited by an angled portion 10, which forms astop for the support profile 2.

Provided between the two bearing link plates 8 is a latching catch 11which, in the use position according to FIG. 2, engages in the supportprofile 2 by way of a latching nose 12 and fixes this support profile inthe use position.

The latching nose 12 can be disengaged from the support profile 2 by alever 13 being subjected to pressure, the latching catch 11 thus beingmoved out of the latching position counter to the pressure of a spring14, as is shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the latching catch 11 rotatesabout a pin 15.

For latching-in purposes, the support profile 2 is pivoted about thearticulation pin 9, in which case a control edge 16 slides onto thelatching catch 11 and passes beyond the latching nose 12 until thelatching nose moves into the support profile 2 under the pressure of thespring 14.

According to FIGS. 4-7, it is intended for it to be possible for theseat 5 or its seat supports 6 to be displaced along the support profile2 and fixed at a desired height. For this purpose, the connectingelement 4 is assigned a height-securing means 17. This height-securingmeans 17 has an adjusting catch 18, which is mounted in the connectingelement 4 such that it can be pivoted about a pivot pin 19.

The adjusting catch 18 has a latching edge 20, which interacts with anedge 21 on the seat support 6.

The seat support 6 is arranged on the connecting element 4 such that itcan be pivoted about a further pivot pin 22. The pivot pin 22 here isarranged such that the surface area of a covering 23 assigned to theseat support 6 butts against the support profile 2 in the seatingposition of the seat support 6 (FIG. 5), in which case, at the sametime, the edge 21 has passed beyond the latching edge 20 of theadjusting catch 18 and the adjusting catch 18 has engaged over the edge21 under the pressure of a spring 24. As a result, on the one hand, thecovering 23 is pressed onto the surface of the support profile 2 and, onthe other hand, it is retained in this position by the adjusting catch18, with the result that displacement of the connecting element 4 alongthe support profile 2 is only possible once the adjusting catch 18 hasbeen released.

FIGS. 6 a to 6 c shows a further exemplary embodiment of aheight-securing means 17.1. This height-securing means 17.1 has a pivotlever 25 which is coupled to the connecting element 4 such that it canbe rotated about a swivel pin 26. This pivot lever 25 can be used tomove a clamping roller 27 in a guide slot 28. The guide slot 28 is ofcurved design, and the support profile 2 projects some way into itsinside width.

With the clamping roller 27 released according to FIG. 6 a, theconnecting element 4 can be moved along the support profile 2. If thedesired height for the seat has been reached, the pivot lever 25 isrotated about the swivel pin 26, with the result that the clampingroller 27 passes into the region of the support profile 2. This achievesa clamping action between the guide slot 28, clamping roller 27 andsupport profile 2, as is indicated in FIG. 6 b.

If the seat support 6 is then pivoted about its pivot pin 22, as isshown in FIG. 6 c, then the covering 23 comes into contact with thesupport profile 2, in which case, if desired, the covering 2 can also bepositioned in relation to the surface of the support profile 2 such thatthe connecting element 4 is offset slightly in the downward direction.Consequently, the clamping roller 27 is drawn yet further into theclamping region between the guide slot 28 and surface of the supportprofile 2, with the result that secured fixing takes place.

According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, two pivot levers 25 and25.1 are to be provided on the connecting element 4. Both are assigned aguide slot 28 and 28.1 and a clamping roller 27 and 27.1. The clampingroller 27.1 here has the task of preventing displacement of theconnecting element 4 in the opposite direction, i.e. in the upwarddirection on the support profile 2. This exemplary embodiment thusavoids displacement of the connecting element both in the downwarddirection and in the upward direction.

A further part of the present invention is concerned with thepossibility of seat-depth adjustment. FIGS. 8-13 indicate,schematically, possible ways in which a seat depth can be adjusted.

According to FIG. 8, a seat surface 30 envelops a roller 31, it beingpossible, for example, for the seat surface 30 to consist of textilematerial. If the seat surface 30 is pulled, for example counter to theforce of a tension element, then a part of the surface which hashitherto been located in the seat is pulled out and can serve as a seatsurface.

According to FIG. 9, the seat surface 30 could also be wound up onto aroller 31.1 at one end, in which case it would be possible for thisroller to be subjected to prestressing, as a result of which the seatsurface 30 is held taut.

According to FIG. 10, a seat surface 30 (not shown specifically), forexample according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, could have alamellar pull-out mechanism 32 arranged beneath it. The lamellarpull-out mechanism 32 is configured such that individual lamellae can bedisplaced telescopically in relation to other lamellae.

According to FIGS. 11 and 12, similar extension of the seat surface 30is achieved by means of toggle levers 33 and scissors mechanisms 34,respectively.

In a straightforward exemplary embodiment of the invention according toFIG. 13, it is sufficient if the seat surface comprises a plurality ofseat-surface elements 35.1 to 35.2 which may be connected to oneanother.

FIG. 14, furthermore, illustrates chairs in which a normal backrest 3has a further backrest 36 arranged in relation to it. This additionalbackrest 36 can be adjusted along the seat 5, with the result that it ispossible to adapt a seat depth to an individual. This can take place, inone instance, by the backrest 36 being plugged into mounts 37 arrangedat different positions. However, stepless adjustment is alsoconceivable, in which case an appropriate slot-like recess 38 is formedin the seat. An appropriate mechanism for adjusting the backrest 36 isnot shown specifically here.

1-26. (cancelled)
 27. A chair comprises: at least one foot; a supportprofile supported on the at least one foot; a seat movably supported onthe support profile; adjusting means for adjusting the height of theseat on the support profile in a stepless manner; and height-securingmeans for fixing the seat in a secured manner at a desired height.
 28. Achair comprises: at least one foot; a support profile supported on theat least one foot; a seat supported on the support profile; and meansfor connecting the support profile to the at least one foot in anarticulated manner for fixing the support profile in a use position. 29.A chair comprises: at least one foot; a support profile supported on theat least one foot; a seat supported on the support profile, the seathaving a front peripheral edge spaced from the support profile; and ameans for changing the spacing between the support profile and the frontperipheral edge of the seat.
 30. The chair as claimed in claim 29,wherein the means for changing comprises at least one telescopic elementprovided between the support profile and front peripheral edge of theseat.
 31. The chair as claimed in claim 30, wherein the at least onetelescopic element is a lamellar pull-out mechanism.
 32. The chair asclaimed in claim 30, wherein the at least one telescopic element has atleast one toggle lever.
 33. The chair as claimed in claim 30, whereinthe at least one telescopic element has at least one scissors element.34. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 29-33, wherein theseat has a seat surface which can be rolled up at least in part.
 35. Thechair as claimed in at least one of claims 29-33, wherein the seat has aseat surface which comprises a plurality of supplemental parts(35.1-35.3).
 36. The chair as claimed in at least one of claims 28 and29, wherein the support profile is connected to the foot by at least onebearing link plate.
 37. The chair as claimed in claim 36, wherein thebearing link plate and the support profile have an articulation pinpassing through them.
 38. The chair as claimed in claim 36, wherein thebearing link plate forms a stop for the support profile when in a useposition.
 39. The chair as claimed in claim 28, wherein a latching catchfor fixing the support profile in the use position is provided betweenthe support profile and foot.
 40. The chair as claimed in claim 39,wherein the latching catch is arranged in an articulated manner on abearing link plate and on one side engages in the support profile by wayof a latching nose.
 41. The chair as claimed in claim 40, wherein, onthe other side from the latching nose, the latching catch has a springacting on it.
 42. The chair as claimed in claim 27, wherein theheight-securing means is provided between the support profile and one ofthe seat and a seat support.
 43. The chair as claimed in claim 42,wherein a connecting element is provided between the support profile andseat, and the height-securing means is located between one of (a) thesupport profile and connecting element and (b) connecting element andseat.
 44. The chair as claimed in claim 27, wherein the height-securingmeans acts in both directions.
 45. The chair as claimed in claim 44,wherein the height-securing means comprises two clamping elementsarranged in at least one guide slot, wherein the support profileengages, in an inside width of the guide slot for separating the twoclamping elements from one another.
 46. The chair as claimed in one ofclaims 43-46, wherein the seat is mounted in an articulated manner inrelation to the connecting element.
 47. The chair as claimed in claim46, wherein the seat is mounted in an articulated manner in the vicinityof a top side thereof and, when the seat is in a use position, the seatpresses onto the support profile by way of a rear covering.
 48. Thechair as claimed in claim 47, wherein the height-securing means has anadjusting catch on the connecting element, wherein an edge of the seatengages in the securing position.
 49. A chair as claimed in claim 27,wherein, a backrest is arranged on the support profile and can beadjusted in relation to the seat.
 50. The chair as claimed in claim 49,wherein a further backrest is connected to the support profile inaddition to the adjustable backrest.
 51. The chair as claimed in claim50, wherein the backrest is adjusted in a stepless manner.
 52. The chairas claimed in claim 50, wherein a series of recesses is provided foradjusting the backrest.